Autumn in Kyoto: 6 Experiences to Enhance Your Trip

The Beauty of Kyoto in Autumn

Kyoto in autumn is a spectacle of fire and gold, with the best views of the vibrant foliage typically spanning from mid-November to early December.

The city’s temples, gardens, and mountain areas—especially Arashiyama—showcase spectacular displays of Japanese maple (momiji).

To escape the crowds and fully immerse yourself in this seasonal beauty, consider a private, cultural experience this autumn.

The following exclusive tours—from private temple visits complete with authentic matcha tea and traditional sweets to culinary journeys—offer a deeper, more peaceful way to enjoy Kyoto's golden season.

• Table of Contents
• 1. Meditation, Rituals, and Matcha at a Tea House in Kyoto
• 2. Jissoin: Private Tour of the Temple's Rock Garden with Meditation
• 3. Special Tour of Kenninji, Kyoto’s Oldest Zen Temple: With Matcha Tea Time
• 4. Komyoin, the Rainbow Moss Temple: Special Tour and Zazen Meditation
• 5. Wagashi Sweets Experience at a Luxury Hotel in Arashiyama
• 6. Discover Kyoto’s Culinary History at a 250-year-old Restaurant: With Kaiseki Meal

1. Meditation, Rituals, and Matcha at a Tea House in Kyoto

The entrance to Koetsuji Temple in Takagamine, Kyoto. Photo by Pixta

Takagamine, a retreat for the artistic and political elite on the outskirts of Kyoto, offers a serene tea-house experience that invites guests to pause and reconnect with the rhythms of the seasons.

A Kyoto tea master leads this program, which combines guided meditation by a stream (reputedly home to a dragon god) with lessons on the city's seasonal traditions. Visitors will learn how these ancient celebrations have been preserved for centuries.

Choose a daytime session framed by verdant greenery and autumn leaves or an intimate evening gathering by candlelight; an option to take part in a formal Japanese tea ceremony is also available.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

Throughout the experience, you’ll savor the finest matcha and carefully selected traditional confectionery, all presented with the precision and warmth of a master.

Designed to slow the mind and deepen appreciation for nature’s passage, this experience offers a restorative glimpse into classical Japanese aesthetics and ritual.

Experience details
Location: Takagamine, on the northern outskirts of Kyoto
Duration: 120 minutes
Group size: 1 to 6 participants
Fee: from 45,100 yen/person

2. Jissoin: Private Tour of the Temple's Rock Garden with Meditation

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

Experience an exclusive after-hours immersion at Jissoin Temple, an 800-year-old, prestigious temple in northern Kyoto's Iwakura area.

This unique program begins with Gyoza meditation (similar to zazen) conducted in the private, usually restricted shoin room, followed by a serene session of matcha green tea and seasonal sweets.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

Led by the temple steward, the experience includes an intimate guided tour of the grounds and their priceless treasures, such as ancient fusuma-e (sliding door paintings).

You will also have exclusive access to the temple's two private gardens—the karesansui (dry rock garden) and sansui (scenic landscape garden)—with the special opportunity to rake patterns in the gravel of the dry garden, weather permitting.

Experience the full beauty of these gardens during the late November autumn foliage season. As they are typically closed, this private tour is a unique, solitary opportunity to immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of a Kyoto garden.

Experience details
Location: Jissoin Temple
Duration: 100 minutes
Group size: 1 to 8 participants
Fee: from 210,100 yen/group

3. Special Tour of Kenninji, Kyoto’s Oldest Zen Temple: With Matcha Tea Time

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

Experience a truly exclusive start to your day at Kenninji, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple, located in the historic Higashiyama area near Gion.

This unique plan grants you private access to the grounds and gardens, like Chouon-tei and Daiou-en, in the tranquil hours before the temple opens to the public.

Your experience includes a special guided tour and commentary from a temple monk, offering insight into Zen principles and famous artworks, such as the spectacular Soryu-zu (Twin Dragons) ceiling painting.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

After enjoying the temple's private tranquility, you'll amble through the Higashiyama neighborhood to the modern Japanese villa restaurant, Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925, for a delightful matcha and sweets tea time.

The warm colors of maple leaves and the moss in the temple garden create a splendid contrast that can only be enjoyed in autumn.

Experience details
Location: Kennninji Temple
Duration: 90 minutes
Group size: 1 to 10 participants
Fee: 280,000 yen/group

4. Komyoin, the Rainbow Moss Temple: Special Tour and Zazen Meditation

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

Join a private tour of Komyoin, a sub-temple of Tofukuji, led by its chief priest. This special program allows you to view the celebrated Hashintei garden and the temple's art, including painted sliding doors and wall scrolls.

Following the tour, you'll practice zazen meditation in the second-floor Kanteiro room, which is typically closed to the public, while overlooking the beautiful garden.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

The experience concludes with a serene matcha tea and sweets session, offering the unique opportunity to chat with the head priest.

For an enhanced experience, there is an optional add-on to rent the entire grounds after closing hours for a candlelit zazen meditation session.

Experience details
Location: Komyoin Temple
Duration: 80 minutes
Group size: 1 to 10 participants
Fee: from 28,000 yen/person

5. Wagashi Sweets Experience at a Luxury Hotel in Arashiyama

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This luxurious joint experience, hosted at MUNI KYOTO in the Arashiyama area, combines high-end confectionery art with museum culture.

Participants will observe a Kyoto artisan craft two types of original wagashi (Japanese confections) in a hotel guest room, with themes drawn from either the natural seasons or the adjacent Fukuda Museum of Art exhibits.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

After this live demonstration, guests will enjoy a delightful matcha tea time, tasting the freshly made sweets.

The experience concludes with complimentary admission to the Fukuda Museum of Art (a 2023 Time Magazine "World's Greatest Place"), allowing guests to view the artistic inspiration behind the confections.

Experience details
Location: MUNI KYOTO, Fukuda Museum of Art
Duration: 90 minutes
Group size: 1 to 4 participants
Fee: from 25,000 yen/person

6. Discover Kyoto’s Culinary History at a 250-year-old Restaurant: With Kaiseki Meal

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

Experience the rich culinary tradition of Kyoto with a special tour and dining session at Uosaburo, a historic, two-and-a-half-century-old, two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the Fushimi area.

Led by the 10th-generation proprietor, Yuichiro Araki, the tour allows you to explore the historic premises and learn the secrets of Kyoto cuisine.

Picture courtesy of Wabunka

You will observe and participate in the preparation of traditional dashi soup base using famous spring water, including a comparative tasting.

The experience culminates in savoring a magnificent, seasonal kaiseki meal course that reflects the gorgeous colors and rich flavors of autumn. You can also add the option of an omakase seasonal sake pairing (additional charge), offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from a celebrated master while feasting on excellence.

Experience details
Location: Restaurant Uosaburo in Kyoto's Fushimi area
Duration: 130 minutes
Group size: 1 to 10 participants
Fee: from 35,000 yen/person

Main image courtesy of Wabunka